April 30, 2012                                                     ebulletinboard Archive

To help keep you informed about events, workshops and other matters of interest, ebulletinboard will be e-mailed on pay dates (August 15, 2011 - May 30, 2012) to all employees.  Principals and other location supervisors should post one copy for employees who do not have e-mail.  Editions are archived for reference.

Make A Difference:  Register, Know the Candidates and Issues, and Vote!

EVENTS/WORKSHOPS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Recertification (12 CEUs) Opportunity: Recognizing at Risk Students (RARS) in the Classroom (June 13 & 14, 8:45 – 4:00)- Workshop will address child welfare issues that affect students' ability to make the most of their educational experience. The objective is to train teachers and other school personnel to recognize behaviors that put students at risk and provide information for constructive responses.  Please register on the Portal.  Audience: Teachers and School Personnel.  Contact: Rosa Gonzalez, School Social Work Services, 355-2079.

Lifelong Learning Summer Computer Courses Offered - Lifelong Learning, 206 Wilkins Street, will offer Teacher Recertification Classes for Computers.  Our Summer 2012 schedule is now available on our web site.  Classes start in June and will be held at Lifelong Learning.  For more information visit Lifelong Learning’s website.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Grace Pascuiti, Lifelong Learning, 355-6059.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

ALL TEACHERS

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants - Dollar General is awarding $4,000 grants (maximum) to implement new or expand existing literacy programs to help students who are below grade level in reading.  Funds can be used to purchase new technology or equipment, books, materials, and software to support literacy initiatives.  Click HERE to register and submit an online application.  Deadline: May 16, 2012.  Notification: August 24, 2012.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

State Farm Good Neighbor Student Achievement Grants - State Farm is offering $1,000 grants for projects that engage K-12 students in a service and learning project that promotes academic achievement, workplace readiness, and stronger communities.  Grant requires a 12-14 week semester of service.  Please click HERE to submit an application or for more information.  Deadline: May 31, 2012.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

Pets in the Classroom Grant - The Pet Care Trust is awarding $150 grants to K-8 classrooms for the purchase and/or care of classroom pets (aquarium fish and small pets).  The goal is to establish healthy child-pet relationships by supporting responsible pet care in the classroom.  Science projects do not qualify for this program (caterpillar/butterfly, chicken egg hatching, etc.).  Click HERE for more information and to access the online application.  Deadline: Rolling.  Audience: Teachers.  Contact: Lisa Finley, Research, Grant Writer, 355-3113.

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Retirement Dinner - Invitations to the 2012 Retirement Dinner have been mailed to retirees who are eligible to attend.  Please RSVP yes or no by Friday May, 11.  Audience: Retiring Employees.  Contact: Sandra Welch, Communications Dept., 355-3888.

Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration – The Greenville Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration will be Saturday, May 19 in Downtown Greenville.  The parade will begin at 5:00 p.m. on South Main from McBee Avenue to Augusta Street.  At 6:00 p.m. there will be military displays, RJOTC demonstrations, and more.  Click HERE to visit the website for more information.  Audience: Principals.  Contact: Paul Howell, Event Coordinator.

SC State Housing Mortgage Money - SC State Housing has special mortgage money for teachers, firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and nurses.   The rate is 3.75% and there is $5000 down payment assistance available.  Also, SC State Housing still has mortgage money available for folks who are not in the above referenced occupations.  The rate is 4.25% and the down payment assistance is $4000.  Audience: Employees.  Contact: Anita LeBold, Mortgage Loan Officer, Greenville Housing Fund, 235-6331.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

NONE

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

School Employees Honored May 7-11, 2012 - The first full week in May honors school employees who make a tremendous impact on the lives of our students.

· The week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers not only provide the academic tools to be successful, but also provide care and compassion for each of their students.

· School Nurses Week recognizes the contributions that school nurses make to improve the health and success of our children. From asthma to food allergies, nurses are available to assist students with health issues.

· We’re also celebrating School Nutrition employees this week. In Greenville County Schools, food service staff provides healthy, nutritious meals so that students can start the day with a nutritious breakfast and re-energize with a healthy lunch.

Let’s celebrate our teachers, nurses, and Food Service employees who go above and beyond to ensure that our children are successful every day at school!

The Schools Channel (Charter Channel 99, 24 hours a day, and Channel 14, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. daily) – Click HERE to learn more about the Schools Channel programs and TV schedule.

Employment Opportunities – Click HERE for our web-site link to GCS Employment Opportunities.

Healthy Living Tips:

· Exercise should ALWAYS be about making you feel good.  Your outlook toward exercise should be more about rewarding the body with endorphins and strength, not about punishing your body for what you’ve eaten.

· It takes motivation to start living a “wellness” lifestyle of balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.  Making this positive health change a habit is what keeps you going.  Six weeks is all you need to make healthy lifestyle changes a habit.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER)

Monday, April 30 — Interim Progress Reports

May 7—11—Teacher Appreciation Week, School Nurse Week and School Nutrition Week.

Thursday, May 10—Deadline to Purchase Salute to Education Banquet Tickets

Thursday, May 17—Salute to Education Banquet, TD Convention Center Ballroom, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 24—2012 Retirement Dinner, Embassy Suites Hotel, 6:30 p.m.  (Invitations mailed to Retirees who Qualify to Attend.)

Monday, May 28 — Memorial Day Holiday (12-Month Employee Holiday)

May 30, 31, June 1 — Half Days Scheduled for last 3 days of school (See Student Attendance Hours Above)

May 31 and June 1 — 2012 High School Graduations at Timmons Arena and Bi-Lo Center (Rehearsal Schedules Included)

Friday, June 1 — 4K-12 Last Attendance Day, End of 4th Quarter

June 4—August 13 — 2012 Summer Work Schedule: Closed Fridays from June 4-August 10 and Also Monday, August 13 (4-Day Work Weeks)

June 4 & 5 — Professional Development Schools/Workday

Tuesday, June 5—Report Cards